The president of the Common Man’s Party (CMP), Mubarak Munyagwa, on Friday visited Opposition Leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, at Luzira Maximum Prison.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and has since been detained since on treason-related charges. He has now spent more than 300 days in detention.
Munyagwa, who was accompanied by his party's Secretary General Moses Bigirwa and other party officials, described Besigye as a political mentor and a central figure in Uganda’s democratic struggle.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye recruited all of us into this struggle. Before that, he got involved in the first revolution of this country in 1986, the war which brought Museveni into power. It’s unfortunate that his liberation efforts went in vain,”Munyagwa said, addressing journalists the meeting.
The two opposition leaders held a private two-hour conversation, which Munyagwa described as “reflective,” focusing on Uganda’s political journey and the challenges facing the opposition movement.
The former Kawempe South Member Of Parliament reaffirmed his pledge that, if elected president, he would release Besigye and all other political prisoners within 24 hours of assuming office.
He also demanded that the government grant Besigye his constitutional right to bail.
“Besigye must enjoy his constitutional right of mandatory bail after spending over six months in prison. It’s unfortunate that he cannot get bail to this date,” he said.
Besigye has long been seen as a symbol of resistance against President Museveni’s administration, earning both admiration and criticism as a polarising figure in Uganda’s politics.
Munyagwa further revealed that he will officially launch his presidential campaign on Monday, with his first rally scheduled for Tuesday in Kamuli District.
“We are going to unveil a comprehensive document outlining all our programs,” he said.